Panama Vaccination Recommendations

The following travel vaccinations are recommended when traveling to Panama, based on historical disease patterns in that country.
They represent the typical diseases endemic or prevalent in Panama for which there are highly effective vaccines available offering strong protection against the disease.

There are may be other diseases which are prevalent in Panama but which are not shown here because either there are no vaccines available to combat the disease, or because the vaccines available are not highly effective in protecting travelers from the disease.
In these cases, other travel health protection measures should be followed. Please click on the "Read More" links to the right of each travel disease listed below to find out more about these other travel health precautionary measures while traveling to Panama.

In addition to reading the vaccination recommendations for Panama on this page, booking a consultation appointment with your local travel clinic or nearest immunization center will help ensure you are aware of all the vaccination requirements and other health precautions advised while traveling to Panama.

CDC Vaccination Recommendations for Panama in Mexico and Central America

Hepatitis A

Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission, especially those who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment (e.g., for an accident).

Yellow Fever

For all travelers ≥9 months of age traveling to the provinces of Darien, Kuna Yala (old San Blas), Comarca Emberá, and Panama east of the Canal Zone, EXCLUDING the Canal Zone, Panama City, and San Blas Islands Panama requires travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is present to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10-year intervals if there is ongoing risk.

Typhoid

Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Panama, especially if staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where exposure might occur through food or water.

For more information on travel health risks and vaccination recommendations while traveling to Panama,please see the CDC website entry for Panama.